South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1887-08-12
THE GOVERNESS.

went to live with my aunt. Leonora
Seymour, when my father died That
was half dozen years ago, but my
trouble seems rs fresh now as it did then
My father married simple country
girl, but a more beautiful woman / never
saw. Father belonged to proud race
of people, old as the Conqucror, and
reaching back to the Plantagnets. When
he brought my mother home to Elsmers
Hall, Aunt Seymour met her so haughtiy,
and led her such life, that my father
soon took her away to Italy There she
died two years after ! was born.
Father and | were all in all to each
other He was my companion, guide,
teacher, and playmate i was only 10
when he died, and was left to the ten
der mcrcies of my aunt
was Seymour and could not be put to
drudge, SO she determined should be
govcrness. had an advertisement in
serted in the paper, and in about week
an answer appeared in the person of
Harry Englefield. He was well pleased
with me, and a week later / was installed
in his luxurious home on the coast of
Wales.
1t was pleasant place. From my win
dow l could see the white caps of the
ocean and the bright waves CHANGING in
the sunshine like diamonds / was hap
pier than | had been since poor papa
died.
Mr.. Englefield was kind, pleasant
man, about So years of age, and well
preserved. My pupils were his two
daughters, May and Kate, aged respec-
lively ID and 12 years. Mr.. Englefield
was widowcr, his wife having been
dead three years. / commenced my
duties at once. My pupils loved me,
and we got on pleasantly. j began to
think my lines were cast in pleasant
places, but an enemy was at hand in
the person of Mr.. Englefield's cousin
and housekeeper, Helen Leroy.
She was about p years of age, hand
some and imperious as quecn-a dead
~ enemy to those whom she hated. She
treated me well, but still feeling of
dislike was plainly visible. NV pupils
made wonderful progress. aud | was
happy. / saw very little of Mr.. Engle-
field.
One morning after had been there
about three weeks he came into the
school room, saying he had come 'to see
what progress the children were max
ing" He spent half hour or more
with us, and | caught myself wondering
often when he would come again.
The next evening he came up and told
us to lay aside our books, and come for n
drive. 1t was a beautiful evening, and
our way lay through u lovely country.
ON either hand rose lofty mountains.
clothed with magnificent trees. Before
us lay the ocean in all its grandeur. it,
white caps tossing and breaking ON the
rocks with q sound like thunder / sat
quietly drinking in the wild beauty Of
the scene.
You seem to enjoy the scene, Miss
Seymour said Mr.. Engleiicld
II do, Mr.. Englefeld, have great
love for wild scenery, and this is the
most beautiful view I have ever seen"
1T is lovely view, but you should
see the ocean when o storm is upon it,"
lac answered
4 would like it, " I said, 'but hope
no storm will arise just to please me"
had hardly uttered the words when
loud peal Of thunder sounded i'm our
ears. storm came on with terrible
violence The thunder roarcd aud the
winds howlcd like demons The ocean
was a magnificent sight. As far ~ the
eye could see the white foam and
spray rose and fell heavily and wc were
wet through and through
j am sorry YOU are so wet. Mis- Sey.
mour. You will take your death Of
cold, " said Mr. Englefcld, in an anxious
voice.
do not fear for me, -" ! replied. "a
little wctting will moi hurt me"
We reached the house and I retired 10
change my wet clothes Miss Leroy came
up to my room, and said snccrinely.
so you got wctting for your pains.
did you! am glad did not 90. ANY
tool could have seen it was going to
rain.